McHARGUE, John M. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Kingman—(CNS)—John M. McHargue, 92, a retired United Brethren minister, died Sunday Aug., 13, 1950 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bertha E. Cook, Kingman, where he had made his home the past 24 years. He was born Mar. 19, 1858 in Parke County, Ind., the son of James and Jane B. Martin McHargue. He was married Dec. 1, 1881 to Rebecca A. Knauer who preceded him in death. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Cook, with whom he made his home, and Mrs. Carrie E. Ratliff, Kingman; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A son, Chancey L., and a daughter, Mrs. Pearl Thompson preceded him in death. He was the last of a family of 16 children. The body was returned to the residence of Mrs. Cooke Monday where it will remain until 1 p. m. (CST) Tuesday when it will be taken to the Kingman United Brethren Church for services at 2 p. m. (CST). The Rev. Winn Sherrill will officiate. Burial will be in Kingman Fraternal Cemetery.  --typed by Walt W

Kingman—The. Rev. John M. McHargue, a minister for 50 years, was honor guest at his 89th birthday celebration in the Kingman gymnasium and United Brethren Church, March 16. The affair was planned by his two daughters and his many friends in this community. A table, decorated in pink and white crepe paper, was set for 24 of the oldest guests. The centerpiece was pink and white carnations with two large decorated birthday cakes on either side. "Happy Birthday" was sung and thanks was offered by the Rev. Winfield Sherrill. Dinner was served cafeteria style and the 130 guests were seated at small tables. At 2 p. m. the group assembled in the church and the following program was given: Piano solo, Davey Puckett; vocal duet, Maude Cory and Mabel Sackmire; clarinet and cornet duet, Peggy Swaim and Josephine Jones; vocal solo, Mrs. Sackmire; piano solo, Mrs. Verda Brown; quartet, Newnum brothers; vocal solo, Scott Ratcliff; reading, Sylvia Bland. The life sketch of the Rev. McHargue was read by Mrs. Edith Lindley. The Rev. Leslie Smith, pastor of the church, and several of the members gave short talks. "Grandpa" McHargue, as he is familiarly known at Kingman, was born on a farm in Jackson Township, Parke County, Ind., Mar. 19, 1858, where he grew to manhood. He attended the public schools and was graduated. To further his education he attended the Danville Teachers' Normal College for one term of three months in 1879. From there he received a teacher's license but never used it. He was married to Rebecca A. Knauer Dec. 20, 1880 and they were the parents of four children, two of whom are living. Mrs. McHargue died 21 years ago. Mr. McHargue was converted at Popular Grove and joined church at the age of 30. He later joined the White River Conference in 1895. In 1898 he was ordained a minister of the United Brethren Church. During the next 15 years he was a pastor of 12 different fields of labor, the first charge being at Coal Bluff, Ind. For more than 20 years he traveled up and down the Wabash and White River Conference as an evangelist. During his ministry he estimates that 2,000 people were converted under his preaching, that he has baptized 1,000, married 200 couples and preached 1,500 funerals. His two daughters, Mrs. Fay Cook, with whom he makes his home, and Mrs. Clem Ratcliff, live in Kingman. He has five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Brother McHargue comes to town every day, swinging his cane and is a very familiar person to the entire community.  --typed by Walt W